I’m taking my landlord to the LTB. How do I prepare for my hearing?
Important COVID-19 update about the Landlord and Tenant Board
The LTB is holding most hearings remotely, by phone, video, or in writing. Some people have had trouble connecting to remote hearings. If you have a video hearing scheduled, download Microsoft Teams ahead of time and make sure your setup is working.
There have also been reports that it can take a long time to get through to the LTB by phone. If you need help right away, contact a lawyer or your local community legal clinic.
It’s important to prepare before your hearing. The Board will expect you to be ready to prove your case and to bring everything you need with you to the hearing.
You might need to arrange for witnesses to come to the hearing. And you might need to make copies of papers or photographs you want to use at the hearing.
The Board will mail you information about how to prepare for your hearing and what will happen at your hearing. If you do not receive this, call the Board at 1-888-332-3234 or look on the Board website.
It’s important to try to get legal help as soon as possible. If you leave this until the last minute, you might not be able to get the help you need. And, the Board will expect you to be ready for your hearing on the scheduled date and may not give you extra time to look for help.
If the hearing is on a day when you can’t go
If you can’t go on the date the hearing is scheduled for, you should ask the Board to reschedule it. You will first have to get your landlord to agree.
If the Board does not reschedule, it is very important that you go to the hearing, or send someone who can represent you. If you send someone, give them written permission to represent you and make sure they take it with them. You or the person you send can then ask the Board to postpone the hearing. This is called an “adjournment”.
If you do not go or send someone, the Board will probably decide to dismiss your . The Board could also you to pay costs to your landlord.
If you need an interpreter
The Board only provides interpreters in French and American Sign Language. This service is paid for by the Board. If you need an interpreter, tell the Board in writing as soon as possible.
If you need an interpreter for a different language, you must try to get one for yourself. The Board does not pay for this. You could try going to a community agency that offers services to people who speak your language. Or ask a friend or family member who speaks English and your language if they can come with you to the hearing.
If you speak French, you might have the right to get other services from the Board in French.
